The Tsunami – A Missed Opportunity

News release 13/12/2005

Despite an unprecedented worldwide relief effort, governments and aid agencies failed to involve children during last year’s tsunami relief effort, and instead imposed imported solutions upon them, according to international children’s agency Plan.

In its one year report, “Children and the tsunami” Plan noted that the “one size fits all” relief package of programmes, had failed to consult or involve children in the recovery effort and as a result had unintentionally marginalised them.

It noted that while Plan did consult children on longer term recovery efforts like housing and schools, it like other agencies could have been quicker at consulting and involving them during the initial disaster response.

The report stressed that involving children should not be separate from the relief effort – but an integral part of all programmes. It also highlighted the need for relief operations to understand the emotional impact on communities caused by overlooking children in post disaster operations.

Plan warned that by ignoring children’s energy, strength, and optimism, we had all missed a great opportunity to reduce the impact of the disaster, and may have actually prolonged the suffering.

The report cited aid agencies need for efficiency and speed of delivery as the main reason for the lack of children’s involvement, but faulted the logic of the approach.

Plan CEO, Tom Miller said:

“Of course we have to be accountable to the donors, but we also have to be accountable to children. The argument that there isn’t time to consult children in disaster situations just doesn’t work any more. Children and young people are often stronger, better educated, more adaptable, and more optimistic than adults. Children are a valuable and willing resource, not defenceless and vulnerable victims, and it’s time the international community recognised that.”

The report urged a fundamental shift in attitude and approach towards involving children in emergency situations is needed if the short, medium, and long-term impact of future disasters is to be reduced.

Michael Diamond, Plan’s Asia Regional Director said:

“It’s time to stop imposing and start involving. We have a duty to protect the interests of the children and their communities in times of disaster. How can we do that without asking them what they need or think, and without involving them?”
The report concludes that active involvement of children can greatly reduce the impact of the loss of families and homes, and is an essential part of their recovery.

It added that the tsunami and recent earthquake in Pakistan are now driving international agencies and governments to establish functioning disaster risk reduction strategies.

The report urges them to make children’s involvement a core element of these strategies and not to let another opportunity slip away.

To request further information, a copy of the report or set up an interview, contact:

Colin McCallum, Media Officer, Plan, International Headquarters (based in UK) – tel: +44 1483 733 285 or +44 7985 440 238.  Email: colin.mccallum@plan-international.org.

Gary Walker, Tsunami Communications Coordinator, Plan, Asia Region (based in Thailand) – tel: +66 2 5761972 or +66 1 984 1892.  Email: gary.walker@plan-international.org.

Plan has been working with children and communities in Asia since 1948.  Its program work extends across Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.  For more information visit:  www.plan-international.org/wherewework/asia